A fit and healthy dad was left unable to walk after suffering a stroke just a week after completing his first marathon.
Ryan Woolley completed the London Marathon in an impressive three hours and 27 minutes.
The 33-year-old dedicated four months to training and clean eating ahead of the event.
READ MORE: ‘My boy, 8, has DEMENTIA – and it started with something as simple as ear infections’
He even crossed the finish line feeling strong with no indications that anything was wrong.
But one week later, he suffered a shock stroke while celebrating his eight-year-old son Finn’s birthday at a trampoline park.
“The marathon was difficult, but I enjoyed it,” Ryan, from Leicester, told Need To Know.
“Afterwards, I felt good and I wasn’t in pain or anything.
“I was really proud of myself and so happy with my time.
“At the trampoline park, I bent down to pull my son out of the soft play and I went all funny.
“I was dripping with sweat and had to lie down.
“I was taken to a medical room for some water but didn’t feel better.
“Then I went outside for some fresh air and threw up everywhere.
“I knew something wasn’t right so I went straight to hospital.
“I was so scary, I didn’t know what was happening.”
Ryan, who works in dust extraction, was diagnosed a hole in his heart.
Medics said that the physical exertion of running the marathon had triggered the stroke.
Ryan, also dad to Zara, three, said: “When they told me it was a stroke, I couldn’t believe it.
“I burst out crying.
“I’m so young.
“I couldn’t walk or move my left side and had to learn to walk again.
“I was just so upset for days worrying about it and wondering if I’ll ever get back to normal.”
Ryan had six weeks of physio after the incident in April 2024 and was supported by his wife Charli, 34, until he had surgery to close the hole.
Although he won’t be able to complete any more marathons, he is back running.
He added: “It was so tough but I’m back to normal now.
“People shouldn’t push themselves too hard.
“I can do a 10k now but I wouldn’t do a marathon.
“I’m traumatised by it and my wife was so worried.”
Charli added: “Seeing people run the London marathon makes me so emotional.
“He’s always been such a good runner.
“Even if he didn’t train, he would have smashed it.
“I’m just so lucky my husband is still here.
“Anyone else thinking about running a marathon or doing an endurance activity, be careful.
“We had no idea this would happen, we had no idea that Ryan has a hole in his heart so maybe you don’t either.
“Don’t push yourself if your body is telling you not to.
“Listen to your body and your instincts.”
READ MORE: ‘I FELT myself becoming paralysed in 15 minutes from the FLU – now I might never walk again’
